On August 30-31, Governor Brian Sandoval of Nevada invited COCHS General Counsel Daniel Mistak to participate in a comprehensive planning meeting on the opioid epidemic to provide an opportunity for state policy leaders, to strategize how the state could examine prescription drug prescribing practices, options for treatment, criminal justice interventions, and challenges and opportunities in the state. Following a speech by Gov. Peter Shumlin of Vermont, Mr. Mistak provided a plenary session that described conceptual framework for diverting individuals out of the criminal justice system and leveraging Medicaid as a means of connecting individuals with substance use disorder with appropriate services. Read more...

Roadblocks to Recovery: State policy causing potential problem for substance abuse treatment
Pennsylvania, like many states, makes it harder for the most vulnerable offenders to access much-needed treatment by cutting off federal benefits, including to individuals who have not been found guilty of a crime. Steve Rosenberg, president of COCHS, explains that such policies are counter productive since without immediate treatment,"a drug offender is going to relapse after leaving prison [in] less than three days after release." Read more...